Comparison

Lock In vs Focus Timer

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Lock In

This app helps you break phone addiction by disabling selected apps during focused sessions. You can set durations, create schedules, and take scheduled breaks. Friends can help you end sessions early, and emergency unlocks are available.

Highlights
  • Disable selected apps for set durations
  • Create weekly app usage schedules
  • Scheduled breaks with daily limits
  • Friend-assisted session unlocking
  • Emergency unlock option
  • App uninstall protection
  • Set daily app usage limits
Read full description

Reduce your screen time with the help of your friends. Lock in empowers you to break phone addiction by disabling selected apps during focused sessions. Core Features (Subscription Required): • Select apps to be disabled for a set duration or create weekly schedules. • Take breaks: 3x 1-minute and 2x 15-minute breaks available daily. • End sessions early only by: • Requesting a subscribed friend to unlock you. • Using an emergency unlock (1 free; more can be purchased (consumable)). • App uninstall protection during lock sessions. • Set daily app usage limits (e.g. 1h of Instagram, Snapchat). • To extend a limit, record yourself reading a preset message aloud and post it on the Wall of Shame. Auto-Renewable Subscriptions: All subscriptions auto-renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel your subscription anytime via your App Store account settings. Available Plans: • Member Friends (Annual): Full access to all features. Also includes 1 free coupon to gift a “Member Solo (Annual)” subscription to a friend. Duration: 1 Year – Renews annually. • Member Solo (Annual): Full access to all features. Duration: 1 Year – Renews annually. • Member (Monthly): Full access to all features. Duration: 1 Month – Renews monthly. Prices vary by region and will be shown before purchase. Additional Purchases: • Additional emergency unlocks can be purchased in-app. Privacy Policy: https://getlockinapp.com/privacy-policy Terms of Use: https://getlockinapp.com/terms-of-service https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Focus Timer

Features
Read full description

Lock In is a beautifully simple app designed to help you focus with intention and track your time meaningfully. Whether you're studying, working, or building better habits, Lock In keeps you grounded, one session at a time. Features at a Glance:Use our dual-mode Focus Timer or Stopwatch, manage your daily tasks, and visualize your time with powerful progress views that show every minute you’ve earned back. From Live Activities to deep session history, Lock In is built for momentum, not distractions. Features at a Glance: Daily Task Manager • Add, reorder, and group tasks by day • Swipe to create subtasks or remove items • Completion toggles with smart parent/child sync • Keyboard-aware quick add bar Focus Sessions: Timer or Stopwatch • Lock in your time with countdown or count-up modes • Animated progress ring with pause/resume controls • Use while editing tasks • Session time is saved, second-accurate Session History • View detailed logs per day: task completion, start-end times, durations • Swipe to delete any session Life & Time Statistics • See how many days you’ve been alive • Weekly, Monthly, and Yearly heatmaps • Visualize progress across the year Smart Reminders & Notifications • “Session Complete” and 8 PM check-in reminders • Never forget to lock in again Home & Lock Screen Widgets • Live Activity tracking via Dynamic Island and StandBy • Control widget to start/stop focus sessions Fully Themed & iPad Ready • Clean dark/light mode toggle • Optimized layout for iPhone and iPad Private by Design • Everything is stored locally using Core Data • No accounts, no ads, no distractions Start small. Stay consistent. Lock in, get out.

Screenshots

Lock In4 screens
Focus Timer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Focus Timer at none against Lock In's 4. Lock In's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 6 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Lock In sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Focus Timer asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Lock In ships an update every 3 days, Focus Timer every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on September 9, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Lock In versus Focus Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLock InFocus Timer
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterEvery 6 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationSubscription—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.5
Further details — not scored
Size127 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGeorg YeElementra LLC

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Lock In

Subscriptions3
  • Solo Membership (Monthly)7 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • Solo Membership (Annually)7 Days trial$19.991 Year
  • Friends Membership (Annually)7 Days trial$24.991 Year
One-time1
  • Emergency Unlock$4.99
None

Focus Timer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Lock In free?
Lock In is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Focus Timer free?
Focus Timer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Lock In or Focus Timer have ads?
Neither Lock In nor Focus Timer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Lock In or Focus Timer?
Lock In ships an update every 3 days, and Focus Timer every 6 months. Most recently, Lock In was updated on September 9, 2026 and Focus Timer on October 2, 2026.

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